‘A fluke’: Opelka reaches 1st Masters semifinal in Rome

<p>ROME &mdash; Big-serving American Reilly Opelka called it “a fluke” after reaching his first Masters semifinal with a 7-5, 7-6 (2) win over Argentine qualifier Federico Delbonis at the Italian Open on Friday.</p>
<p>Not previously known for his clay-court tennis, the 6-foot-11 (2.11-meter) Opelka overwhelmed Delbonis with 18 aces to record his fourth straight-set win of the week.</p>
<p>“I’m surprised. Clay is not really my thing — not much of an American thing,” Opelka said. “It’s probably just a fluke. But I’m on with it.”</p>
<p>Opelka also saved all four break points he faced. But it wasn’t just his serve that made the difference.</p>
<p>The 47th-ranked Opelka hit a delicate slice volley drop-shot winner in the final game before the tiebreaker and then produced a difficult backhand cross-court passing shot to set up the only match point he needed.</p>
<p>Opelka entered Rome on a six-match losing streak that included dealing with <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fl-state-wire-europe-tennis-health-coronavirus-pandemic-924e209a8761ad45ba54fcc9b6f083fa">a bout of COVID-19</a>.</p>
<p>“I wish I could use that as an excuse but the first 10 weeks of the year I just didn’t play well. It wasn’t COVID-related at all," Opelka said. "Obviously after you lose eight weeks in a row, the one thing you want to do is practice — not get COVID and be stuck inside for 2 ½ weeks. But I guess it worked out.”</p>
<p>Opelka’s semifinal opponent will be either nine-time Rome champion Rafael Nadal or 2017 winner Alexander Zverev.</p>
<p>In the women’s tournament, Petra Martic became the first semifinalist with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Jessica Pegula.</p>
<p>Martic, who recently hired 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone as her coach, will face either 2019 Rome champion Karolina Pliskova or 2017 Roland Garros winner Jelena Ostapenko for a spot in the final.</p>
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